Thomas Tuchel has explained that Reece James has suffered a 're-injury' that keeps him out of Chelsea's clash against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
The England international has missed most of 2022 with a hamstring injury before he suffered muscular issues three matches into his return.
The Blues are also without Cesar Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson-Odoi forcing Thomas Tuchel to name a back four of centre-backs. Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Malang Sarr make up the defence, with Christensen and Sarr having played as full-backs against Crystal Palace earlier in the season.